What made you happy today?

[Sun Chariot]

Sitting in a field in the shade, waiting for one of two trains today on a freight-only branch. Birdsong and distant traffic.

I used to love that type of day:

Being bitten raw by horse-flies, whilst at Ais Gill awaiting the 60-hauled coal workings.

Dodging the land-owner's gaze when stood on a farm access road near Claydon Junction, awaiting the 56-hauled 'bin-liner' to round the curve from Calvert.

Brisk walk from Saltburn to reach the rugged majestic North Sea coastline, to see the 66-hauled working to Boulby potash facility.

Threading along Preston's streets near long-closed Deepdale branch, to photograph the 37-hauled domestic coal working's crawl past gated level crossings and dilapidated houses.

Happy days.

@eastwestdivide out of interest, which f.o. branch does your post relate to? It does sound tempting.

 

[DelW]

In the last three weeks, I've heard a cuckoo on four separate occasions - though two of the locations were only 1/2 mile apart, so those might have been the same bird heard twice.

I don't think I've heard more than one per spring in the last five years, so this year their number seems to have increased.

 

[Calthrop]

In the last three weeks, I've heard a cuckoo on four separate occasions - though two of the locations were only 1/2 mile apart, so those might have been the same bird heard twice.

I don't think I've heard more than one per spring in the last five years, so this year their number seems to have increased.

This talked-of here you-and-me, a few months back: heartening to read -- if I'm right, you are in the essential south-east of England (which I am not) -- must have been ten years-plus, since I last heard a cuckoo. Much imparted to us in recent years about how, owing to various "environmental stuff", cuckoos are becoming ever-increasingly scarce as visitors to Britain in summer. A thing which I read recently, to the effect that the bird as a summer visitor is now doing better in Scotland than in England -- it seems that "Scottish" cuckoos take a more easterly, and more favourable, migratory route to / from these latitudes, than "English" ones do; goodness knows how-come, and it can make a layman wonder whether these learned naturalists are talking out of the back of their necks; but maybe they are accurately "on it" ...

 

[Harvester]

In the last three weeks, I've heard a cuckoo on four separate occasions - though two of the locations were only 1/2 mile apart, so those might have been the same bird heard twice.

I don't think I've heard more than one per spring in the last five years, so this year their number seems to have increased.

Only six of the 14 satellite tagged cuckoos tracked from the summer of 2024 to this spring, made it back to the UK. This is roughly a 40% survival rate and has been the trend since tracking began around 12 years ago. As mentioned upthread, mortality rates are higher on the western route via Spain and the Western Sahara!

 

[eastwestdivide]

out of interest, which f.o. branch does your post relate to? It does sound tempting.

Hoo Junction to Grain. Noticed a couple of tank trains running on a Sunday when I was in the area. Sat in the shade until I saw it join the branch on traksy, and wandered down to Solomon’s crossing on a footpath near a farm. Stood on the stile for this, top and tailed as it went via Tonbridge to reverse at Hoo Jn:

 

[Sun Chariot]

Hoo Junction to Grain.
View attachment 181136

A photo as splendid as yours, would make me happy today! A cracking shot.
I have never photographed that branch, although I travelled it - and Angerstein Wharf - back in 1990 or 1991, on blue 4TCs 410 + 417, with a grey 33/1 up front.


This one's a bit niche and for fans of "The I.T. Crowd"...
After collecting our holiday travel docs from our regular travel agent, we noticed a new (and diminutive) police station being set up in Petersfield's centre (photo attached).
I was pleased to gain respect from our 23 year old son when I sang: 0118 999 881 99 9119 725 ... 3

 

[Camberman]

A photo as splendid as yours, would make me happy today! A cracking shot.
I have never photographed that branch, although I travelled it - and Angerstein Wharf - back in 1990 or 1991, on blue 4TCs 410 + 417, with a grey 33/1 up front.


This one's a bit niche and for fans of "The I.T. Crowd"...

After collecting our holiay travel documents from our regular travel agent, we noticed a new (and diminutive) police station being set up in Petersfield's centre (photo attached).
I was pleased to gain respect from our 23 year old son when I sang: 0118 999 811 99 9119 725 ... 3

Got to love the bit at the bottom of your posts (I don't know what that bit is called!):

Laugh loudly in public and the world laughs with you.
Fart loudly in public and you're on yer own...

It's made my day quite a bit happier!

 

[SuspectUsual]

I built a gate for our garden today, because the gap it needs to go in doesn't suit any standard get-it-from-B&Q gate. I've really enjoyed doing it and for once I feel an actual sense of achievement. It even looks OK and seems to be reasonably robust

 

[Sun Chariot]

Got to love the bit at the bottom of your posts (I don't know what that bit is called!):

Laugh loudly in public and the world laughs with you.
Fart loudly in public and you're on yer own...

It's made my day quite a bit happier!

I added that back in 2009 - I completely forgot it's there!

 

[Loppylugs]

Just arrived home and need a drink. Left the railway station, walking towards the bus station and a girl walks passed me with....a live budgerigar on her head!! No, I haven't been in the pub, not delusional (yet). Even turned round to look at me (the budgie, not the girl).

 

[Camberman]

Just arrived home and need a drink. Left the railway station, walking towards the bus station and a girl walks passed me with....a live budgerigar on her head!! No, I haven't been in the pub, not delusional (yet). Even turned round to look at me (the budgie, not the girl).

Perhaps the girl wanted to take it out for a change from being indoors - you know, give it a bit of a "tweet"......

Just read this BBC article online: Feeling stuck? A simple guide that can help get your life back on track

"We can all be overly critical of ourselves, telling ourselves we aren't good enough, that we are rubbish or we are going to make a fool of ourselves if we do something new. It's part of being human.

"But when we let that critical voice take over it means our lives can be less fulfilled. We stop ourselves from taking risks and can miss out on exciting opportunities, leaving us feeling stuck and unhappy in life."

Interestingly, the article says to "Firstly, think of yourself as a bus - both the vehicle and its passengers. The bus represents our physical body and mind. The passengers represent our thoughts, emotions, sensations and memories."

I found it a very interesting read and made me happy.